April 09, 2013

ARLINGTON
– As expected, the Texas Rangers have designated outfielder Julio Borbon for
assignment to clear a spot on the 25-man and 40-man roster for tonight’s starter
Nick Tepesch, whose contract was purchased.

The Rangers have yet to find a trade partner for Borbon,
something they hoped to do by adding him to the active roster out of spring
training. They still have a week to find a trade partner, but all signs point
to Borbon being exposed to waivers next Tuesday at the latest.

A team, possibly the Astros or Mets, will certainly gobble
up the speedy outfielder. If for some reason Borbon clears waivers, the Rangers
would outright him to a minor-league affiliate.

Borbon, 27, has spent his entire professional career with
the Rangers. He was a supplemental draft pick (35th overall) in
2007, and reached the big leagues in 2009.

Borbon was the Opening Day center fielder in 2010 and 2011,
but has fallen behind Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry on the depth chart the
past two seasons. He made only one appearance with the Rangers this season,
failing to record a hit in his lone at-bat.

For his big-league career, Borbon is a .283 hitter with 101
runs scored, 73 RBIs and a .324 on-base percentage over 685 at-bats. He has
stolen 40 bases and has a .982 fielding percentage.

Tepesch, meanwhile, is set to make his big-league debut tonight against the Rays. The 24-year-old right-hander won the fifth starter competition out of spring training, but the Rangers didn't need him until tonight.